I remember in the early days of the human development and human potential movements we were often cautioned to stay away out of autopilot. So autopilot can happen when you take someone and put them in a pigeonhole and hold them and stick, it’s like saying all people with this characteristic are ___(fill in the blank). Often what goes in that blank is information that we’ve heard or learned from others growing up:family members, teachers,other kids we grew up with,their families, most often consisting of very limiting beliefs and derogatory points of views.
The tendency is when you say all people are these people are “blank”is to stop thinking and rely on all of the information that you’ve assimilated over the years about that characteristic or that group of people comes to your mind and you begin to think and operate from those points of view and derogatory ideas. You are not using your own intellect and discernment to communicate. The pre assiimilated thoughts and feelings are flowing in an automatic way. Why it’s called autopilot so you’re no longer totally present making your own decisions. It takes a bit of effort to stay present and not go into autopilot.
them in a group and then it’s a group that you often have many beliefs and conclusions already drawn and set in place. And when you say, oh, this person is just that and stick them in that and pigeonhole
them, then those patterns and beliefs and characteristics that you’ve assimilated over the years, they start acting and you’re no longer able to be present with that person or that individual as an individual and be there for them.
Because pigeonholing someone removes the ability to be present and to share your presence in a way that can have impact.
